Daisetsuzan National Park

Daisetsuzan National Park (大雪山国立公園) in the center of Hokkaido is the largest national park in Japan, the size of 226,764 ha, and has been designed as the national park since 1934, and is the oldest national park in the Hokkaido along with Akan Mashu National Park (阿寒摩周国立公園). A mountain named Daisetsuzan does not exist, and the whole area including the mountains with over 2,000 m above sea level such as Mt. Asahidake (旭岳), the highest mountain in Hokkaido, Mt. Kurodake (黒岳), Mt. Aibestudake (愛別岳), Mt. Tomuraushi (トムラウシ山) is collectively called "Daisetsuzan", and those are called "A roof of the Hokkaido" ,too. Rare nature such as active volcanoes, Lare Columnar joints, a sea of trees and permafrost even in the Hokkaido can be seen. About 250 types of alpine plants grow naturally, and various forms of life such as brown bear, blakiston's fish owl, dolly varden and pine grosbeak inhabit here. By the way, A right notation is "Daisetsuzan", but local people often call "Taisetsuzan".

Mt. Kurodake

Unlike a range of the Daisetsuzan National Park, Daisetsuzan Mountain Range is roughly divided into 4 areas, Omote Daisetu Area (表大雪エリア * Front Daisetsu Area), North Daisetsu Area (北大雪エリア), East Daisetsu Area (東大雪エリア * Back Daisestu Area), Tokachirenpo Area (十勝連峰エリア). Each areas have famous mountains, so hiking is very popular. The Daisetsuzan Mountain Range often means "A garden that gods have a good time (神々の遊ぶ庭)" in Ainu language, too, and visitors can enjoy magnificent scenery as if it is like the god's garden. Each areas have famous tourist attractions, onsen and good places to see fall foliage, so even ordinary tourists as well as hikers can enjoy the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range.division for the Omote Daisetu Area, the North Daisetsu Area, the East Daisetsu Area and the Tokachirenpo Area in JapaneseGrade of Daisetsuzan Mountain Range in Japanese

Ropeways are built in the Mt. Asahidake with 2,291 m in height and the Mt. Kurodake with 1,984 m in height, and the tourists can enjoy onsen at luxurious accommodations such as the Asahidake Onsen (旭岳温泉), the Tenninkyo Onsen (天人峡温泉) and the Sounkyo Onsen (層雲峡温泉), and beginner hikers and the tourists can enjoy those. There are various mountain hiking courses including a tour course and a traverse route from the Mt. Asahidake to the Mt. Kurodake. Those are well-known for the fall foliage, too.

Traverse Route from Mt. Asahidake to Mt. Kurodake

Sounkyo

Sounkyo (層雲峡) is a large valley in Kamikawa town located in the southeastern part of Asahikawa city. In Omote-daisestu Area (表大雪エリア), Daisetsuzan National Park, sheer cliffs with about 24 km in length are on both sides of Ishikari River, and it is surrounded by mountains as much as 2000 m high, too. Daisetsuzan Mounatin Range has been called "Kamuimintara (カムイミンタラ)" by Ainu people since a very long time ago, and means "A garden that gods have a good time" in Ainu lanugae, and I think that you will be satisfied with the translator if you see a grandmagnificent scenery. But an another meaning is "a home of brown bears", and local people call here a nest of the brown bears, so a lot of the bears inhabit. Sounkyo Onsen (層雲峡温泉) is a sightseeing base that about 2 million tourists come in the Daisetsuzan National Park along with Asahidake Onsen (旭岳温泉), and is popular with hikers as trailheads for the Daisetsuzan Mounatin Range.Article is here

Sounkyo with Fall Foliage

Mt. Asahidake

Mt. Asahidake (旭岳) is an active volcano at an altitude of 2,291 m in Higashikawa town located in the southeastern part of Asahikawa city. In Omote-daisestu Area (表大雪エリア), Daisetsuzan National Park, the Mt. Asahidake is the highest mountain in Daisetsuzan Mountain Range (大雪山), and is also the highest mountain in Hokkaido. The Daisetsuzan Mounatin Range has been called "Kamuimintara (カムイミンタラ)" by Ainu people since a very long time ago, and means "A garden that gods have a good time" in Ainu lanugae, and I think that you will be satisfied with the translator if you see a grandmagnificent scenery. But an another meaning is "a home of brown bears", and local people call here a nest of the brown bears, so a lot of the bears inhabit. Asahidake Onsen (旭岳温泉) at the mountainside is a sightseeing base that about 300,000 tourists come in the Daisetsuzan National Park along with Sounkyo Onsen (層雲峡温泉), and is popular with hikers as trailheads for the Daisetsuzan Mounatin Range. Article is here

Active Steam

Obako

Obako (大函) is a scenic spot with a beautiful conbination of a river and sheer cliffs in Sounkyo (層雲峡), Kamikawa town. Beautiful columnar jointing was born by an explosive eruption of Ohachidaira (御鉢平) around 30,000 years ago. Ishikari River (石狩川) has eroded the rocks over a long period of time, and the Oobako turns into the current shape. A famous scenic spot called Kobako (小函) is near here, too. But it is currently prohibited to enter the Kobako in danger of collapse. A observation deck, a public restroom and a parking lot are on the site. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. But the restroom is broken. The Obako is about 6 km away from Sounkyo Onsen Resort, and restaurants, cafes and convenience stores are built there. In addition, Ryusei Falls (流星の滝) and Ginga Falls (銀河の滝) are near here, too. Article is here

Precipice Rocks

Ryusei Falls and Ginga Falls

Ryusei Falls (流星の滝) and Ginga Falls (銀河の滝) are famous waterfalls that rivers drop from columnar jointing of sheer cliffs into Ishikari River in Sounkyo (層雲峡), Kamikawa town, and it is said that those are the most beautiful falls in this area. A pair of the 2 falls is one of 100 Best Waterfalls in japan. A parking lot that the Ryusei Falls or the Ginga Falls can be seen is near Daisetsu National Route (National Route 39), and Sokodai Lookout (双瀑台), a souvenir shop, a public restroom and the parking lot are on the site. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. In addition, Obako (大函) is near here, too. Article is here

View from Sobakudai

Daisetsu Kogen Onsen Hiking Tour with Fall Foliage

Daisetsu-Kogen Swamp Group (大雪高原沼群) is in the southern part of Kamikawa town located in the southeastern part of Asahikawa city, and is well-known as one of great places to see fall foliage in Japan, and about 30 large and small swamps are dotted with a highland at 1,200 - 1,500 above sea level. Around the trailhaed for Daisetsu-Kogen Swamp Group is called "Taisestu Kogen Onsen", and Taisetsu-Kogen-so (大雪高原山荘), Brown Bear Information Center (ヒグマ情報センター), Forest Patrol Kogen Office (森林パトロール高原事務所), a public restroom and a parking lot are built there. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. The fall foliage is the best season to see in mid September. Visitors increase at those seasons. Traffic regulations enforce during high seasons of the fall foliage, and the visitors must use shuttle buses from Taisetsu Lakesite (大雪レイクサイト) to the Ginsendai. The bus fare of each way is JPY 500. It takes about 30 minutes. In addition, my-car control assistance fund is JPY 200. I think that it is a kind of a paking lot fee in the Taisetsu Lakesite. Town Road Taisetu Kogen Onsen Line to the Taisetu Kogen Onsen is closed to traffic from mid October to mid June. Article is here

View at Yezo-Numa Pond

Ginsendai with Fall Foliage

Ginsendai (銀泉台) at about 1,520 m above sea level is a trailhead for Mt. Akadake (赤岳) near Sounkyo Onsen (層雲峡温泉) in the southern part of Kamikawa town located in the southeastern part of Asahikawa city, and is one of famous great places to see fall foliage in Hokkaido. Wild flowers are in full bloom in July, and the fall foliage is the best season to see in mid September. Visitors increase at those seasons. Traffic regulations enforce during high seasons of the fall foliage, and the visitors must use shuttle buses from Taisetsu Lakesite (大雪レイクサイト) to the Ginsendai. The bus fare of each way is JPY 500. It takes about 30 minutes. In addition, my-car control assistance fund is JPY 200. I think that it is a kind of a paking lot fee in the Taisetsu Lakesite. A forest patrol office, a parking lot, a public restroom and a watering place are in the trailhead of the Ginsendai. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Hokkaido Road 1162 to the Ginsendai is closed to traffic from mid October to late June. Article is here

Road Can be Seen

Lake Taisetsu

Lake Taisetsu (大雪湖) is a man-made lake in Kamikawa town located in the southeastern part of Asahikawa city. Taisetsu Dam (大雪ダム) was built near a junction of Daisetsu National Route (National Route 39) and Kamikawa National Route (National Route 273) in 1975, so the Lake Taisetsu was borned. Candy Trouts and Dolly Varden Trouts inhabit the intricately shaped lake, and a lot of anglers come. But beware of brown bears bacause the lake is in the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range called "a home of the brown bears". Places to see the lake are the Taisetsu Dam, Taisetsu Lakesite (大雪レイクサイト) and a parking lot park. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

I Look at Daisetsu Mountain Range

Hagoromo Falls

Hagoromo Falls (羽衣の滝) is a famous waterfall in Higashikawa town located in the southeastern part of Asahikawa city, and has been chosen as one of "100 Selections of Japanese Waterfalls". The waterfall 270 m high, and it is the highest waterfall in Hokkaido. The water drops while it is divided into 7 parts. The falls used to be named "A couple falls (夫婦滝)", but it has been renamed as "Hagoromo Falls" by Mr. Keigetsu Omachi (大町桂月), a famous Waka poet, since 1918. Maybe a look of the foaming waterfall reminded him of a robe of a heavenly maiden, so I guess that a swan maiden was born. In Daisetsuzan National Park (大雪山国立公園), Tenninkyo Onsen (天人峡温泉) is an entrance of the falls. The onsen is called a back room of Asahikawa (旭川の奥座敷). It is said that secret onsen is easily accessible by a road in the mountain. By the way, a road to the onsen sometimes is closed by disaster. The onsen has 2 onsen ryokan, Tenninkaku (天人閣) and Oyado Shikishima-so (お宿敷 島荘), and Footbath "Tennyo-no-Ashiyu" (天女の足湯) is built beside a public parking lot. Hiking can be enjoyed in a summer, and fall foliage can be enjoyed in an autumn. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

Hagoromo Falls

Sounkyo Onsen

Sounkyo Onsen (層雲峡温泉) is a hot-spring resort in Kamikawa town located in the southeastern part of Asahikawa city, and is one of the 5 major hot spring resorts in Hokkaido together with Jozankei Onsen (定山渓温泉), Yunokawa Onsen (湯の川温泉), Toyako Onsen (洞爺湖温泉) and Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉), and is a base for sightseeing of the Daisetsuzan National Park (大雪山国立公園) that about 2 million tourists come every year. There is a trailhead to Mt. Kurodake (黒岳), and a lot of mountain climbers as well as bathers for medical purposes come. The hot-spring resort is based on a concept of harmony with the natural environment, and almost building design is unified in western-style townscape named "Canyon Mall (キャニオンモール)". There are 15 accommodations, a hot spring facility, a footbath, restaurants, souvenir shops, convenience stores and Kurodake Ropeway (黒岳ロープウェー), and tourists can climb to highland at 1520 m above sea level by the ropeway. By the way, 7-Eleven in Sounkyo is well-known for being owned by Ms. Sara Takanashi (高梨沙羅 * famous Ski jumper)'s parents. Article is here

Kurodake-no-Yu

Taisetsu Kogen Onsen

Taisetsu Kogen Onsen (大雪高原温泉) is a hot spring place in Kamikawa town in the southeastern part of Asahikawa city. Taisetsu-Kogen-so (大雪高原山荘) is built at 1260 m above sea level in a mountain of Omote Daisetsu Area, Daisetuzan National Park. The distance is around 25 km far away from Sounkyo Onsen (層雲峡温泉). There are Brown Bear Information Center (ヒグマ情報センター) and Forest Patrol Kogen Base (森林パトロール高原事務所) around here, and Daisetsu Kogen Onsen Hiking Tour (大雪高原温泉沼めぐりコース) that is famous for beautiful fall foliage is built, too. Ginsendai (銀泉台) that is famous for beautiful fall foliage and Lake Taisetsu (大雪湖) are relatively near here, too. Article is here

Nice View

Aizankei Onsen

Aizankei Onsen (愛山渓温泉) is a hot spring place at around 1010 m above sea level in Kamikawa town located in the eastern part of Asahikawa city, and has an atmosphere such as a secret onsen in the heart of a mountain. Aizankei Club (愛山渓倶楽部) surrounded by forests has opened a business in the mountain of Front Daisetsu Area, Daisetuzan National Park. Another building is only Aizankei Hut (愛山渓ヒュッテ) for hiker's accommodation, and restraunts, cafes, souvenir shops and convenience stores are not built. Here is a trekking base of Mt. Nagayamadake (永山岳), Mt. Aibetsudake (愛別岳), Mt. Pippudake (比布岳) and Mt. Tobetsudake (当麻岳), and is trailheads of hiking courses for Numanotaira Marshland (沼の平湿原) and Kumoigahara Marshland (雲井ケ原湿原) that are famous for fall foliage. Aibetsu Drivinn (愛別ドライブイン) is a mark along National Route 38, and visitors turn and go straight for around 20 km, and the end of the road is the Aizankei Onsen. It takes about 40 minutes by car. Drive carefully because the road with around 10 km in lengh is narrow halfway through. In addition, careful of bears and deers across the road. It is out of signal area. Article is here

Aizankei Club

Asahidake Onsen

Asahidake Onsen (旭岳温泉) is a popular hot-spring place at 1,100 m above sea level in Higashikawa town located in the southeastern part of Asahikawa city, and is located in the Daisetsuzan National Park (大雪山国立公園). It is a base for a trailhead to Daisetsuzan Mountains (大雪山連峰) or sightseeing of Asahidake Ropeway, and 9 accommodations dot for 1 km. There are Asahidake Visitor Center (旭岳ビジターセンター), a ski resort, a ropeway, Komadake Falls (駒止の滝) and Asahidake Youth Campsite (旭岳青少年野営場) in the Asahidake Onsen. Unfortunately, restraunts, cafes, souvenir shops and convenience stores are not built. Hiking courses and cross-country skiing courses are built around the Asahidake Onsen, and birdwatching can be enjoyed. Mt. Asahidake (旭岳) in the Daisetsuzan National Park is famous for a beauty spot for fall foliage, and it is said that the earliest autumn leaves in Japan have a good reputation, so a lot of tourists come in an autumn. the cross-country skiing, ski and snowshoes can be enjoyed from a winter to a spring, and hiking and trekking can be enjoyed in a summer. The snowshoes are rented at the Asahidake Visitor Center. Article is here

Lodge Nutapukaushipe

Tenninkyo Onsen

Tenninkyo Onsen (天人峡温泉) is a hot-spring place in Higashikawa town located in the southeastern part of Asahikawa city. In Daisetsuzan National Park (大雪山国立公園), the Tenninkyo Onsen as well as Sounkyo is surrounded by columnar joints, and fall foliage can be enjoyed in an autumn, and is called a back room of Asahikawa (旭川の奥座敷). It is said that secret onsen is easily accessible by a road in the mountain. By the way, the road sometimes is closed by disaster. There are 2 onsen ryokan, Tenninkaku (天人閣) and Oyado Shikishima-so (お宿敷 島荘). Footbath "Tennyo-no-Ashiyu" (天女の足湯) and Takimidai Lookout (滝見台) are provided, too. Unfortunately, restraunts, cafes, cafes, souvenir shops and convenience stores are not built. There used to be 4 accommodations, and 2 accommodations, Tenninkyo Park Hotel (天人峡パークホテル) and Tenninkyo Grand Hotel (天人峡グランドホテル), has been closed, so the hot spring place looks a deserted street. Article is here

Tenninkaku

Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival

Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival (層雲峡氷瀑まつり) is a snow event held in Sounkyo Onsen, Kamikawa Town located in the eastern part of Asahikawa city, and has been held since 1976. It is held from late January to late March every year, and is well-known as a specialty winter event. Ice sculptures, a resting place, a food stall, a public restroom, North Ice Pub (北の氷酒場) and Hyoto Shrine (氷瀑神社) are in a venue. The venue is from 10 to 20 degrees below zero, and it is very cold, so you had better wear a warm outfit. Admission free. But a assistance fund is JPY 300. A parking lot are free of charge, and visitors can park their cars at the Sounkyo Onsen Public Parking Lot. Article is here

Ice Castle

North Daisetsu Area

The area in the north of Ishikari River is called "The North Daisetsu Area". Famous mountains are Mt. Niseikaushuppe (ニセイカウシュッペ山), Mt. Hirayama (平山), Mt. Mukadake (武華岳), Mt. Muridake (武利岳) and Mt. Byobudake (屏風岳). A famous tourist attraction is Ukishima Marsh (浮島湿原). Maruseppu Onsen (丸瀬布温泉), Setose Onsen (セトセ温泉), Shionbetsu Onsen (塩別温泉), Taki-no-Yu Onsen (滝の湯温泉) and Yamahiko Falls (山彦の滝) are near here.

Movie of Mt. Niseikaushuppe Hiking

Ukishima Marsh

Ukishima Marsh (浮島湿原) at 870 m above sea level is a high moor between Kamikawa and Takinoue in the northern part of Daisetsuzan National Park (大雪山国立公園), and is nearby Ukishima IC (浮島IC). 22 ha of marsh is interspersed with about 70 ponds varied in scale, and plants such as Yezo Pygmy Waterlily, Dew Grass, Geum Pentapetalum and Marsh Grass of Parnassus grow naturally. Some visitors come to watch wild birds. But few people come, so you may monopolize the nature. Here is a good place not many people know. By the way, the nature is very rich, so beware of bears. In addition, pesky mosquitos and horseflies attack visitors, so you would better bring a mosquito repellent. The visitors can enter the Ukishima Marsh almost from late June to October. Restrooms are provided beside a parking lot. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

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Higashinonuma Pond

Maruseppu Onsen

Maruseppu Onsen (丸瀬布溫泉) is a hot-spring resort in Maruseppu, Engaru town located in the northwestern part of Kitami city. 2 hot spring facilities, Maruseppu Onsen Yamabiko (丸瀬布温泉やまびこ) and Maure Villa (マウレ山荘), are built at about 300 above sea level in the mountain. Visitors go straight for about 10 km along Hokkaido Road 1070 from the center of Maruseppu, and there is a foret park named Ikoi-no-Mori (いこいの森), and SL locomotive "Amamiya 21-Go (雨宮21号)" runs around a garden, and a park golf course, an auto campsite, a tennis court and Insect Habits Building (昆虫生態館) are built. At the Insect Habits Building, insects presented by Mr. Sho Aikawa (哀川翔), a famous actor, are displayed, and it is called "Aniki-no-Mori (アニキの森)". The Maure Villa is about 1 km away from the Maruseppu Onsen Yamabiko. From there on there is Yamahiko Falls (山彦の滝), and the Hokkaido Road 1070 is closed to traffic. Unfortunately, restraunts, cafes, cafes, souvenir shops and convenience stores are not built around there. Article is here

Maure Villa

Setose Onsen

Setose Onsen (瀬戸瀬温泉) is a hot spring place in Engaru town located in the northwestern part of Kitami city. The distance is around 20 km far away from the center of the Engaru, and only Setose Onsen Hotel (セトセ温泉ホテル) is built at about 340 above sea level around a traffic gate along Hokkaido Road 493 in the heart of mountains in Engaru. Here has just an atomosphere of secret onsen. Unfortunately, restraunts, cafes, cafes, souvenir shops and convenience stores are not built. Article is here

Setose Onsen Hotel

Shiobetsu Onsen

Shiobetsu Onsen (塩別温泉) is a hot spring place in Rubeshibe-cho, Kitami city located in the northwest part of Kitami city, and is adjacent to North Daisetsu Area, Daisetuzan National Park. Taki-no-Yu Onsen (滝の湯温泉) is a mark along Kitami National Route (北見国道 * National Route 39), and visitors turn and go straight for around 700 m, and the end of the road is the Shiobetsu Onsen. Only Shiobetsu Tsurutsuru Onsen Ryokan (旅館塩別つるつる温泉) is built at about 360 above sea level there. Unfortunately, restraunts, cafes, souvenir shops and convenience stores are not built. It takes about 30 minutes from the center of Rubeshibe (留辺蘂) to here by car. The Shiobetsu Tsurutsuru Onsen Ryokan surrounded by trees and fields is not in a mountain, and is near a park golf course, Kitami Fuji Cart Circuit (北見富士カートサーキット) and Rubeshibe Development Hall (留辺蘂町開拓資料館). Article is here

Shiobetsu Tsurutsuru Onsen Ryokan

Taki-no-Yu Onsen

Taki-no-Yu Onsen (滝の湯温泉) is a hot spring place in Rubeshibe-cho located in the western part of Kitami city, and is adjacent to North Daisetsu Area, Daisetuzan National Park. Toji Onsen Kotobukien (湯治温泉寿苑) and Takinoyu Center Yumefusen (滝の湯センター夢風泉) are built beside Shiobetsu Tsurutsuru Onsen (塩別つるつる温泉). The area around here is developed as Takinoyu Fureai-no-Sato (滝の湯ふれあいの里), so there are a footbath, a park golf course and ponds that firefly can be seen. Unfortunately, restraunts, cafes, souvenir shops and convenience stores are not built. It takes about 30 minutes from the center of Rubeshibe (留辺蘂) to here by car. The Taki-no-Yu Onsen surrounded by trees and fields is not in a mountain, and is near a park golf course, Kitami Fuji Cart Circuit (北見富士カートサーキット) and Rubeshibe Development Hall (留辺蘂町開拓資料館). Article is here

Kotobukien

List of Accommodations

Refer to following websites for the accommodations in the Omote Daisetu Area and the North Daisetsu Area. You can get information regarding online reviews and photos.

Map

Blog Writer:good! hokkaido!

I am from Nayoro, and used to live in Kushiro and Sapporo, and have been back Hokkaido after I lived in Kanagawa prefecture for 14 years again. Around 50-year-Japanese old boy mainly have released articles that I found nature, tourist attractions, onsen and foods in the Hokkaido to the non-Hokkaido people. I am bad English, so I apologize if you do not understand the meaning. Using photos are my photos, free images, various tourism associations’ photos and photos cited from official websites and so on. Reproduction of my photos and texts from within this site is prohibited.As for my photos, I used to provide those for profit, but I stop providing the photos now. Most of youtube movies belong to others, and I just share those on my blog.